13 June 2024
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has called on the NSW Labor Government to invest in the safety and connectivity of local towns and villages by ensuring rural and regional roads throughout the electorate, receive their fair share of funding in next week’s State Budget.
“Our roads are the backbone of the community; it’s how we get to work, school, medical appointments, how we socialise and keep in touch with friends and family,” Ms Cooke said.
“It’s with this in mind that I have advocated tirelessly for our region, to ensure the Roads Minister fully understands and appreciates the need for funding for the repair and maintenance of our local roads, in order to ensure the safety and convenience of our community members,” she said.
During a recent sitting of the NSW Parliament, Ms Cooke gave notice of a motion, calling on the parliament to recognise the fundamental role regional road networks play in connecting local communities, and enabling economic growth.
“Small road maintenance projects can drive big benefits for safety and the economy in the bush, so ensuring our local councils have the resources to deliver safe roads is vital,” Ms Cooke said.
“My notice of motion called on the parliament to recognise the need for road funding to help ensure the safety and productivity of our rural and regional communities,” she said.
Ms Cooke said the motion called on the government to liaise with local communities during the development of its various Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plans, which the government has committed to using as a blueprint for the roll-out of large-scale road infrastrucutre projects.
“I recently joined with mayors and GM’s from Cowra, Temora, and Narrandera for meetings with the Minister, who heard directly from them about their roads wish-list,” Ms Cooke said.
“The Minister spoke with the councils regarding the development of the government’s Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plans, walking them through the process of ensuring their projects are in the mix when it comes time to allocating large-scale infrastrucutre funds.
“I will certainly continue to advocate fiercely for funding for our electorate, and encourage all residents to lend their advocacy to projects in their area, by lodging submissions of support when the time comes to do so,” she said.
